MAHATMA GANDHI
(MARTYRS' DAY 30 JANUARY)
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
That's his full name as a Gujarati
Native of Porbandar British state then
Youngest among four children.
Father was a Gujarati bania
Mother was a vaishanava
Father was a dewan in Porbandar
Later moved to Rajkot a post better.
Married at 13 to year older Kasturba
Had to bear lustful separation yea
Bore a son five years later
Awaited future prospects proper.
Gandhi did bar at law in London
Returned to India but failed to begin
Offered a lawyer job in South Africa's Durban
To work on case of a Gujarati businessman.
Stayed in South Africa to help local Indians
Faced discrimination from local Whites
Determined to fight it out peacefully
Stood to support Indians firmly.
Spent twentyone years in South Africa
Finally decided to return to India
Found similar issues here to solve
Determined to permanently resolve.
His speech was very inspiring
People flocked to hear him speaking
Though disinterested in politics
He was destined to serve our citizens.
He was briefly made congress president
He got deeply involved in its political intent
He adopted rural dress of the poor
He lived like a common villager.